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Technology a key tool in fighting crime

Marion County Sheriff Chris Blair talks about how the "heat mapping" program, with computers in all 12 district offices, shows "hot" spots where deputies coming on duty need to focus during their shift. This particular map shows where a lot of larceny activity is going on in the county.

Published: Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 18, 2014 at 5:08 p.m.

When Sandy Mandell joined the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in 1976, the agency had no cellphones or computers. The patrol cars didn't even have power windows. While out on duty, if he wanted to talk with his supervisor he had to use a pay phone to call a dispatcher, who would contact the boss.

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Now, Mandell, a lieutenant and assistant district commander for Florida Highway Patrol Troop B, can sit in his office in Ocala and, with the touch of a finger on a computer, monitor trooper activities and view all calls related to the troop, which covers Marion and eight other counties.

When Mandell was a young deputy, his gun belt held a gun, handcuffs, a dump pouch for bullets he had to load himself, a wooden night stick, and a buck knife for which he had to obtain authorization to purchase.

Now, his gear includes a semi-automatic weapon in a special holster, a Taser unit, handcuffs, a cellphone, a radio, body armor and a computer, which can be used in his car or the office.

"Technology has improved us and allowed us to do more than one task," said Mandell, who, during his 38 years in law enforcement also has been a border patrol officer and special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

In today's high-tech world, people often go for the latest technology and are willing to spend lots of money to attain the fastest and most efficient hardware, software, devices and apps.

In the world of law enforcement, having the best technology can help in tracking suspects, solving cases and keeping track of convicted criminals in and out of correctional facilities.

With law enforcement departments often operating within tight budgets, obtaining some of the latest equipment can be difficult. More and more, agencies are turning to other funding sources, such as state or federal grants.

Here is a look at the agencies in Marion County and how they adapt to, and in some cases find creative ways to pay for, advances in technology.

Florida Highway Patrol

Every trooper's patrol vehicle is equipped with a computer that can be used for research, viewing a driving history, and printing citations and reports. Every trooper has a Rapid ID machine through which, with a quick finger scan, he or she can quickly identify someone through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database.

Each patrol car is equipped with cameras that record and document each stop, which can be useful for the trooper as well as a resident who has a complaint. The images also can be viewed by supervisors using computers at the office or a remote location.

The FHP has a facial recognition system through which images can be compared to photographs in the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles database.

Troopers can issue a traffic citation to a motorist and also send that information to a court clerk's office with the click of a button.

Should a resident want to access a crash report, he or she can go online and purchase the report.

Through FHP's website it is easy to see traffic incidents by region, which displays a brief synopsis of the accident location, the time it happened, the time the trooper was dispatched and their arrival, as well as if there are any lane closures, injuries or fatalities.

Ocala Police Department

It's not just "writing" a ticket now. It's typing a ticket into a laptop.

OPD traffic officers on motorcycles have laptops, iPads and printers stored in a special compartment on the back of the officer's motorcycle.

"The benefits of having that equipment on the motorcycles is to allow the officers to conduct their traffic enforcements and activities more safely and effectively," said Sgt. Frank Zadnik, unit supervisor.

Officers on motorcycles and in patrol cars also have electronic driver's license scanners that allow them to quickly access motorist information.

The ALS comes with special flashlights and goggles that allow technicians to go to a crime scene and detect blood, fluids and other materials not visible to the naked eye. The system also can show bruising on a victim.

A technician using the RUVIS can see fingerprints and DNA on any surface without using the old technique of "dusting."

"In other words, it shows the DNA or prints otherwise not seen by the naked eye and from there it's up to me to collect it," said Brenda Yanik, a crime scene technician.

The department also has two forensics vans that are equipped with portable labs, drug testing kits, a gunshot residue kit and power converters to generate electricity.

Marion County Sheriff's Office

The agency recently used money from the Crime Prevention Fund, which is supported by revenue from traffic tickets and court fines, to buy 100 kiosks to be distributed throughout the county. The roughly 6-foot-tall portable devices can be used to issue alerts, public service announcements and breaking news simultaneously on three screens.

By also using funds from the Crime Prevention Fund, the Sheriff's Office has installed a heat mapping program in all 12 districts, through which a deputy can view his or her area of duty and see where crimes are being committed. Each crime is represented by a color. The goal is to track crime trends and predict where crime might occur and, hopefully, take preventive steps.

On the agency's Facebook page, viewers can see a daily report that talks about crime in the county within the past 24 hours. The viewer does not have to be a Facebook subscriber to see the report.

The popular social media technology also can be used to broadcast images of people sought in connection with crimes, requesting input from members of the public.

"Technology is moving at a fast pace every day, so we're always exploring new ways to prevent crimes from occurring. The more informed people are, the better off they are and they can take action," said Capt. James Pogue, Sheriff's Office public information officer, who is the face of the daily crime report.

Dunnellon and Belleview police departments

Though it may be a small agency, the Dunnellon Police Department has used Internet technology such as SPOKEO, a search engine that finds people through public records or social network information. Department spokeswoman Darlene Parker said her agency also has special software to manage evidence collections.

Belleview Police Department officials said their newest technology includes the Rapid ID system and sophisticated radar systems used to snag speeders.

Looking to the future

Some local agencies are in testing or development stages with new technology.

The Sheriff's Office, for example, is working to develop an app for iPhones, which would be paid for with money from the Drug Forfeiture Fund.

The Ocala Police Department is testing the Automated Licenses Plate Recognition system in two patrol vehicles. The ALPR has four cameras: one mounted inside facing the front and three on top of the trunk. The cameras can scan 360 degrees and can be used to check for stolen vehicles, document traffic violations, identify wanted persons, or reveal whether a registered owner has a suspended license.

Within the past few months, OPD also has ordered 18 Coban devices, which are in-car video units. If the officer puts on the lights and siren, Coban automatically switches on and begins recording. Officials said it is user friendly and is easier for supervisors to search for a particular event because everything is marked by an incident number.

Both systems are partially funded through grants, with the rest of the money coming from the operating budget.

In coming weeks, OPD also will install iRecord, a digital recording device that allows an officer to make notes on a video. The system has a built-in safeguard where it cannot be modified. The data can later be sent electronically, instead of making a copy, for a defense team, the State Attorney's Office, or others.

"It makes it easier for the detectives to use and utilize information that's recorded from an interview," said Lt. Dan Wilson, a supervisor in the agency's Criminal Investigations Division.

While such technological advances have been embraced and championed by law enforcement officials and continue to evolve, Mandell urges his colleagues to not lose sight of one important factor:

"It's still the police officer, sheriff's deputy and troopers that do the thinking and reasoning," he said.

<p>When Sandy Mandell joined the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office in 1976, the agency had no cellphones or computers. The patrol cars didn't even have power windows. While out on duty, if he wanted to talk with his supervisor he had to use a pay phone to call a dispatcher, who would contact the boss.</p><p>Now, Mandell, a lieutenant and assistant district commander for Florida Highway Patrol Troop B, can sit in his office in Ocala and, with the touch of a finger on a computer, monitor trooper activities and view all calls related to the troop, which covers Marion and eight other counties.</p><p>When Mandell was a young deputy, his gun belt held a gun, handcuffs, a dump pouch for bullets he had to load himself, a wooden night stick, and a buck knife for which he had to obtain authorization to purchase.</p><p>Now, his gear includes a semi-automatic weapon in a special holster, a Taser unit, handcuffs, a cellphone, a radio, body armor and a computer, which can be used in his car or the office.</p><p>"Technology has improved us and allowed us to do more than one task," said Mandell, who, during his 38 years in law enforcement also has been a border patrol officer and special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.</p><p>In today's high-tech world, people often go for the latest technology and are willing to spend lots of money to attain the fastest and most efficient hardware, software, devices and apps.</p><p>In the world of law enforcement, having the best technology can help in tracking suspects, solving cases and keeping track of convicted criminals in and out of correctional facilities.</p><p>With law enforcement departments often operating within tight budgets, obtaining some of the latest equipment can be difficult. More and more, agencies are turning to other funding sources, such as state or federal grants.</p><p>Here is a look at the agencies in Marion County and how they adapt to, and in some cases find creative ways to pay for, advances in technology.</p><p> </p><p><b>Florida Highway Patrol</b></p><p> </p><p>Every trooper's patrol vehicle is equipped with a computer that can be used for research, viewing a driving history, and printing citations and reports. Every trooper has a Rapid ID machine through which, with a quick finger scan, he or she can quickly identify someone through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement database.</p><p>Each patrol car is equipped with cameras that record and document each stop, which can be useful for the trooper as well as a resident who has a complaint. The images also can be viewed by supervisors using computers at the office or a remote location.</p><p>The FHP has a facial recognition system through which images can be compared to photographs in the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles database.</p><p>Troopers can issue a traffic citation to a motorist and also send that information to a court clerk's office with the click of a button.</p><p>Should a resident want to access a crash report, he or she can go online and purchase the report.</p><p>Through FHP's website it is easy to see traffic incidents by region, which displays a brief synopsis of the accident location, the time it happened, the time the trooper was dispatched and their arrival, as well as if there are any lane closures, injuries or fatalities.</p><p> </p><p><b>Ocala Police Department</b></p><p> </p><p>It's not just "writing" a ticket now. It's typing a ticket into a laptop.</p><p>OPD traffic officers on motorcycles have laptops, iPads and printers stored in a special compartment on the back of the officer's motorcycle.</p><p>"The benefits of having that equipment on the motorcycles is to allow the officers to conduct their traffic enforcements and activities more safely and effectively," said Sgt. Frank Zadnik, unit supervisor.</p><p>Officers on motorcycles and in patrol cars also have electronic driver's license scanners that allow them to quickly access motorist information.</p><p>OPD recently got $130,000 in federal grants for a portable Alternate Light Source (ALS) and a Reflected Ultra Violet Imaging System (RUVIS).</p><p>The ALS comes with special flashlights and goggles that allow technicians to go to a crime scene and detect blood, fluids and other materials not visible to the naked eye. The system also can show bruising on a victim.</p><p>A technician using the RUVIS can see fingerprints and DNA on any surface without using the old technique of "dusting."</p><p>"In other words, it shows the DNA or prints otherwise not seen by the naked eye and from there it's up to me to collect it," said Brenda Yanik, a crime scene technician.</p><p>The department also has two forensics vans that are equipped with portable labs, drug testing kits, a gunshot residue kit and power converters to generate electricity.</p><p> </p><p><b>Marion County Sheriff's Office</b></p><p> </p><p>The agency recently used money from the Crime Prevention Fund, which is supported by revenue from traffic tickets and court fines, to buy 100 kiosks to be distributed throughout the county. The roughly 6-foot-tall portable devices can be used to issue alerts, public service announcements and breaking news simultaneously on three screens.</p><p>By also using funds from the Crime Prevention Fund, the Sheriff's Office has installed a heat mapping program in all 12 districts, through which a deputy can view his or her area of duty and see where crimes are being committed. Each crime is represented by a color. The goal is to track crime trends and predict where crime might occur and, hopefully, take preventive steps.</p><p>On the agency's Facebook page, viewers can see a daily report that talks about crime in the county within the past 24 hours. The viewer does not have to be a Facebook subscriber to see the report.</p><p>The popular social media technology also can be used to broadcast images of people sought in connection with crimes, requesting input from members of the public.</p><p>"Technology is moving at a fast pace every day, so we're always exploring new ways to prevent crimes from occurring. The more informed people are, the better off they are and they can take action," said Capt. James Pogue, Sheriff's Office public information officer, who is the face of the daily crime report.</p><p> </p><p><b>Dunnellon and Belleview police departments</b></p><p> </p><p>Though it may be a small agency, the Dunnellon Police Department has used Internet technology such as SPOKEO, a search engine that finds people through public records or social network information. Department spokeswoman Darlene Parker said her agency also has special software to manage evidence collections.</p><p>Belleview Police Department officials said their newest technology includes the Rapid ID system and sophisticated radar systems used to snag speeders.</p><p> </p><p><b>Looking to the future</b></p><p> </p><p>Some local agencies are in testing or development stages with new technology.</p><p>The Sheriff's Office, for example, is working to develop an app for iPhones, which would be paid for with money from the Drug Forfeiture Fund.</p><p>The Ocala Police Department is testing the Automated Licenses Plate Recognition system in two patrol vehicles. The ALPR has four cameras: one mounted inside facing the front and three on top of the trunk. The cameras can scan 360 degrees and can be used to check for stolen vehicles, document traffic violations, identify wanted persons, or reveal whether a registered owner has a suspended license.</p><p>Within the past few months, OPD also has ordered 18 Coban devices, which are in-car video units. If the officer puts on the lights and siren, Coban automatically switches on and begins recording. Officials said it is user friendly and is easier for supervisors to search for a particular event because everything is marked by an incident number.</p><p>Both systems are partially funded through grants, with the rest of the money coming from the operating budget.</p><p>In coming weeks, OPD also will install iRecord, a digital recording device that allows an officer to make notes on a video. The system has a built-in safeguard where it cannot be modified. The data can later be sent electronically, instead of making a copy, for a defense team, the State Attorney's Office, or others.</p><p>"It makes it easier for the detectives to use and utilize information that's recorded from an interview," said Lt. Dan Wilson, a supervisor in the agency's Criminal Investigations Division.</p><p>While such technological advances have been embraced and championed by law enforcement officials and continue to evolve, Mandell urges his colleagues to not lose sight of one important factor:</p><p>"It's still the police officer, sheriff's deputy and troopers that do the thinking and reasoning," he said.</p><p><i>Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118 or austin.miller@starbanner.com.</i></p>